Modelling the development of Barrett’s Oesophagus: Towards better treatment of Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) is a metaplastic condition in which the normal squamous epithelium of the oesophagus is replaced by a columnar gastro-intestinal like epithelium due to repeated gastro-intestinal reflux. BO is generally accepted to be a precursor condition with the potential to develop into oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Consensus for the cell of origin for Barrett’s oesophagus is still lacking. Different sources for the cell of origin have been proposed, one of which is the submucosal gland (SMG) and duct cells of the oesophagus. This hypothesis, however, has not been properly studied due to the lack of proper model systems. In this thesis, pig and human SMGs and ducts were characteri..